Participants in the after school program at Redfield UMC take time to smile for the camera. Photos courtesy of Redfield UMC.

Everyday, during the school year, 15-20 children rush to Redfield United Methodist Church to participate in an after school program. The program began last year after receiving funding from a Breakthrough Ministry grant. 

Redfield UMC applied for and received a “Breakthrough Ministry—School Partnership Grant” for $1500 for materials, snacks, furniture, supplies and extra liability insurance. The grant was awarded by a partnership of the Dakotas Conference Missional Impact Link and the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation.

Children created crabs as part of the study of the state of Maryland.

Alandra Harrelson, serves as the coordinator for the program, and states the program is going very well. “We have been studying different states. For the state of Maryland we made crab pictures,” says Harrelson. 

Some of the artwork shared from the after school program that is shared during worship at Redfield UMC.

Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd, who serves Redfield UMC, includes the children’s art work in Sunday morning announcements projected on the screen.

“The church and community support the program well, “says Toepke-Floyd. “With several school closings this winter, the program was also closed. Thanks to some very dedicated volunteers, it is running well.”

Do you want your church to reach its maximum potential? Breakthrough Ministry grants are available to any church. Funding for outreach ministries, church-school partnerships, young adult-campus ministry, culture of call, technology and hunger projects are all available by applying online before April 30th.